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Photographer’s Note

they say the eyes are windows to the soul. this young lady was carrying 'SAMOUN' oven fresh iraqi bread. i know her, so i asked here to stop and look at me, then i quickly raised my camera and shot this image. she was furious and almost grabbed my camera, because i had the odasity to force my demand on her with out her permission. thats called human nature, when you force someone to accept your opnion or your will they will 'REBEL' and live to crush you. on the other hand if you give them a choice and see what happens then the opposite will occur and you would have gained their respect even if they did not agree.

this is EXCATLY what is happening in IRAQ today, our government, infustructure, and our very way of life was CHOSEN for us by a forign occupier who didnt even know our history, way of life or thoughts nor did he care to even ASK our opnion or show us respect.

---------------------PERSONA NON GRATA-----------------

info: taken with canon ae-1 as all the iraqi photos in my file. used olympus e-500 to photograph the orginal slide. adjusted with CS2.

the mouth of the girl is not cropped out it is excatly taken as i wanted, its a metaphor that our mouths were shut and we never had a choice.

lucasdasilva, Ferrus, miuky, paura, Salma, dflydsgns, Davids, Benedict has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lucasdasilva (557) 2006-12-13 6:18

I agree with your view, no one will like these as this woman does not like your camera.
Lucas

nurka3 (242) 2006-12-13 6:21

the photo is beauytiful, this eyes, but i will not cut the mouth.
kate

hayyam (85) 2006-12-13 6:23

Unbelievable eyes.

zips (1941) 2006-12-13 7:09

I would have liked this photograph a bit better if the mouth was in frame. As far as the notes are concerned, the photograph really doesn't mirror the notes without your explanation/interpretation of the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the photo.

I would say that if you want to tell the story of what is happening in Iraq today and how the people feel about it, you might try a more photojournalistic/documentarian approach to make your point. Since this was taken during the Saddam Hussein era, a more current photograph of the current conditions would probably illustrate your views a bit better IMHO.

Still, I like the concept of this portrait, which to me is simply that.

Great Job.
Aloha, JB

[2] +

Ferrus (787) 2006-12-13 8:21

Hello Robert,
thank you for sharing this photo with us. It is brilliant. The expression of her eyes, the sharpness of the face and the B&W look wonderful.
I hope Iraq will get better. You know, every change is a challenge, so it is comprehensible that your country has some problems with that hard change.
But I think Iraq of future will be one of the most modern countries of Middle East ( I hope it will be a federation like Switzerland). One day peace will be on every place of Iraq I hope. This evolution just needs some time....

Slav
Ferhat

[2]

anducina (8153) 2006-12-13 13:19

Excellent portrait, those eyes are amazing. The lady does not look so furious, I must say. Anyway, the portrait is very good and I like your technique that combines b&w with colour. Very interesting.
TFS,

Andreea

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2006-12-13 15:57

Hi robert
this foto is from realy no comment.the eyes very good like a pine well done.
Best regards
Cüneyt-Şb

soma (943) 2006-12-13 18:11

the eyes does it all !! ilove the selective coloring you did here ...simply wondrful ... i am really waiting for your next post from iraq images

aadilj (17950) 2006-12-14 1:47

Hi Robert...this shot, the stark galre in those eyes, burns. Its not just about the place that its been shot at or the note that you've written, but its something about a tremendous amount of poignancy and a sense of despair seething with anger that makes this portrait one of the best wartime shots that i have seen in many many years. Its a pity that I can only give it two points...but keep it separately this shot in itself is a documentary.

[2] +

miuky (3335) 2006-12-14 4:01

Great eyes and BW on her...
Hy Robert
Very good!
Regards, M.

toto (18783) 2006-12-14 6:40

pas de commentaires. Thomas

paura (39632) 2006-12-14 6:50

Robert,
A nice shot from this beautiful girl. A pleasant composition in B&W, with nice lighting.

regards

Paulo

Salma (1276) 2006-12-15 14:34

simply powerfull robert !!!

hans559hans (4) 2006-12-27 14:17

Hello Robert,

I saw this photo and your photo with the title :
Confident Beauty, here we see a beautiful face and
we can see she has a live behind her.
On the other photo we see outstanding beauty.
It must be the same woman ? ,the eyes, nose, brows,
the little spot above the lip, etc.
In that case I like this version the most because it's
more real.

Regards, Hans

royh (577) 2007-01-05 17:44

Hi Robert,

First off, very well-written note to go along with this excellent and haunting photo. It's hard not to stare into those eyes. The exposure is great, showing all the facial features, and the contrast with the blood-red kafiyah adds even more strength to your image. TFS,

Roy

sebinho342 (18808) 2007-01-06 18:40

Hi Robert, still so difficult to pick out a picture to comment in your gallery which is really at a very high level, your pictures speak a lot, interpels, ask questions, give answers, chocks, makes laught, or cry ...
I come again on this portrait of this iraqi woman and due to my attraction for PP i can't miss it.
Fabulous work here, even if you cut her her mouth, this is still very effective, just love it
All my congratulations, keep on sharing, your pictures are delight

Angshu (34253) 2007-01-13 4:14

Dear Robert
Her piercing eyes come straight of the screen as she looks at the viwer. Fascinating effect in partial desaturation & excellent use of DOF as we see the focus fading away on the sides of her scarf. Superb photo my friend
With Regards
Angshu
PS : I am flattered by your comments in your last critique..but I thank you for liking the picture

vagabondtravels (6115) 2007-03-20 5:46

Hi Robert

Great portrait. Very sharp and excellent focus on the eyes. Really nice detail. You captured this woman well.
Ben

mpdre (1587) 2007-05-28 23:08

Hi Robert,
There are many things that I like in this photo. First, I like the intensity of her eyes, her expression. The B&W of her face makes it more dramatic and contrasts very nicely with the colors in the foulard that covers her hair. But I also like your note, especially when you said that she was furious because you had the audacity to force your demand on her with out her permission... Nice way of presenting your ideas...
Best regards,
Andre

Davids (48) 2007-09-26 3:48

Robert,
I marked it as usefull, not because of the photo, but because of the note. About the photo I have mixed feelings. Technially the protrait is good, but I find it hard to beleive that you can take a photo this fast, without her face expression changing.
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update 070926
fair is fair, I first gave the photo one point, because I had doubts..... but I got your answer Robert, and on TE we have the privilege that we can cast the shadow of doubt away after such an answer.
I still like the photo.

[2] +

ilvao (2250) 2007-12-06 0:52

Dear Robert,

Glad to discover your talent and testament on TE.
THIS PICTURE IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THEM.
Thanks to share your work.
Take care
Olivier

Benedict (7062) 2008-01-03 21:48

hi robert,
i regret that i have not seen this wonderful work earlier.. but better late than never. indeed the expressions in her eyes tell us of the hardships she faces in war-torn Iraq. i wonder tho why in heaven you cropped her mouth? did you do it on purpose? and that "samoun", reminds me of my days in the saudi-iraq border, my last assignment while with the MOH employ..thanks for bringing back precious memories.
have a healthy 2008.
benedict